How Do God’s People Celebrate?

How do you celebrate a victory?

Read Exodus 15:1-22

The People of God Celebrate by Singing Together (v. 1)

At the very beginning of this chapter, we are told that the people of God collectively sing this song together.

I know that I emphasize this all the time and it is ironic for me to preach this before a Sunday morning crowd but it is vital in the life of a disciple of Christ to gather with His people on a regular basis. Hebrews 10:25 is the obvious go to passage on this point, which says

Hebrews 10:25 ESV

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We have something to celebrate each and every week: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But when corporate worship of God becomes a part of our weekly rhythm, we are able to regularly reap the benefits of gathering together. We grow closer to the Lord and to one another. Celebration isn’t the only thing that takes place when we gather. There have been situations before where we mourn together as well. This takes place, for example, in Deuteronomy 34:8. The people gather and mourn for thirty days following the death of Moses and Aaron.

Deuteronomy 34:8 ESV

And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.

Think with me about times in your life where you have had something to celebrate such as a graduation or a milestone anniversary. When it might not have been at church per se, we make a habit of inviting our loved ones in the congregation to celebrate these things with us and they inevitably bleed into church life as well.

A few other notes I want to make on congregational worship here is that we are told that the people were singing together. We aren’t told that there was a section of people who didn’t like the song and so they didn’t participate. The words to this song are written in the first person: “I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously…” This was personal worship to God. What they had just been delivered from and witnessed God truly performing a miracle on their behalf. And because of that, they came together to sing to the Lord about what they had seen.

The point that I am making here is that the church family ought to be the ones in the high points of life as well. This is not only a tradition of the people of God that should be carried on but also a habit that ought to be made. This is why we take baptism seriously. This is why we share when a loved one has come to the faith. We celebrate by singing of God’s greatness together. And even when nothing of note has happened lately, we can turn our attention to the victory of the cross!

Next, this morning, we dive deeper into what exactly is being celebrated.

The People of God Celebrate by Praising the Lord Specifically (v. 1, 4, 5, 10, 12)

As we look at the actual words of this song that is being proclaimed, we should consider the question, “why are these people singing?” Well, they have witnessed God triumph in a glorious manner. But to go even further, the people are singing regarding not just the Exodus of Egypt but the fact that the Egyptian army was swallowed up by the sea.

I point this out because we have a tendency to be somewhat vague when we celebrate. It is not just that the Lord rescued them but the grand way in which He did it. The people are specific in at least five different points of this song to reiterate just what they are praising the Lord for. It isn’t vague as if to state, “God we praise you because you have done something amazing. Instead, the situation is spelled out to highlight exactly the Lord accomplished on the behalf of the people and for His own glory.

This is an important reason why there are so many songs that the church has sung over the last 500 or so years of church history. There have been many situations of celebration that these authors through the years have written about.

When we are celebrating what God has done for us, we have an opportunity to not only proclaim this in the moment but also for those who will look back on the situation as well.

The People of God Celebrate by Mentioning God’s Attributes (v. 6, 7, 11, 13, 18)

In thinking about what God accomplished, the people are certain to spell out the specific attributes that God put on display in this exact situation. We could spend an individual sermon on each of these attributes but we won’t take the time to do that this but only highlight each that is mentioned.

Verse 6, God is glorious in power. In Exodus 14:4, the Lord told Pharaoh that the reason He was going to defeat Egypt in the way that He did had everything to do with receiving glory over the king of Egypt. It is clear that His intent came through loud and clear to the people and they understood His power.

Exodus 14:4 ESV

And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.

Verse 7, God is majestic in power. There is true beauty that comes out when we see the Lord work. The events of Exodus 14 are no exception, for the defeat of the people was swift and gives an example of His power of creation.

Verse 11, the Lord is incomparable. This would have been important for Israel to have expressed because of the danger that some might fall to the worship of the Egyptian Gods. In stating that there is none like Him, they announce in this group that they are still committed to the one true God,

Also in verse 11, the Lord is holy. I have told you that I believe that the holiness of God is the most defining of His nature because when He is set apart, all of His attributes are amplified beyond what any other being possesses.

Finally, to sing that the Lord will reign forever and ever, verse 18 highlights the eternal nature of the Lord. The fact that, yes, He indeed reigns but that reign isn’t coming to an end anytime soon.

Now, as we sing to the Lord, we ought to place focus on all of His attributes on a regular basis. When we speak of the Lord, we should consider all of these attributes of Him because they are what make Him so unique and worthy of our praise. .

The People of God Celebrate by Breaking Out into Smaller Groups

Finally, we move down to verse 20 where Miriam leads the women in singing. The reality is that there are some moments of celebration that may not take place within the entire group of people. There are moments where we share just with the ladies at Women Active for Christ or a man shares His testimony as we wash feet together. Or your Sunday School Class. Or across from a dear friend over a cup of coffee.

These celebratory moments may not always be appropriate for the whole body of believers but when the time comes, they are always important to share with brothers and sisters of Christ.

These are just four ways that we should celebrate outlined in this particular passage.

So, can I ask, what has God done in your life that is worth celebrating? Have you sung with the people as a person who has something worth celebrating? Have you acknowledged the marvelous works and His attributes? Are you apart of a smaller group within this body of believers to share just exactly what God has done?

Or maybe you’re still waiting to see the victory from the Lord and this message is to prepare you for celebration at a later point.